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Around the community of Stehekin, firefighters have been working on community protection measures. These measures include working on firelines around the community including clearing brush and leaf litter as well as felling standing dead trees that could fall across the fireline. Water pumps with hoselays and sprinklers are being set up throughout the community to further protect structures and the fireline.
A resource advisor assesses a constructed handline near Stehekin. Handline, in combination with strategically placed water and retardant drops, are among the suppression actions being taken to stop fire spread and protect the community.
On the Pioneer Fire, optimal conditions have continued to allow aerial resources to drop fire retardant in strategic locations along the ridgeline between Boulder and Rainbow drainages up towards Sawtooth Ridge. The use of fire retardant has slowed fire growth providing an opportunity for firefighters on the ground to work on constructing handline in the area.
On June 8th, the Pioneer Fire was reported burning on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan and quickly spread onto US Forest Service land, including wilderness. Fire managers are using a full-suppression strategy to protect private property, public infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. Part of the rationale for a full-suppression strategy is that the origin of the fire was on private land, and it is suspected to have been human-caused. Fire managers are contracting with area businesses to support opportunities of local economy. The communities of Chelan, and Manson are open and continue to welcome visitors.
Initial attack resources attempted direct tactics early on, but were challenged by the extremely steep and remote terrain on the east side of Lake Chelan that can only be accessed by boat or air. Full suppression efforts are being implemented utilizing a combination of direct, indirect, and point protection where the highest probability of success can be safely achieved. Firefighters continue to establish firelines and hose lays, working in conjunction with water-dropping aircraft.
Much of the fire area is within wilderness, but crews actively assessed structures around Lake Chelan / Stehekin and completed structure protection actions to increase defensibility. Assessment and protection measures continue up valley towards Stehekin Ranch.
Chelan County is continually updating evacuation levels as fire activity changes. Please see the 'Announcements' tab for current information by area.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the National Park Service have a closures orders in place for the Pioneer Fire. For more information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices and https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/fire-closures.htm.
The Pacific Crest Trail is closed in this area. For more information, please visit: closures.pcta.org/.
| Current as of | Mon, 09/02/2024 - 20:30 |
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| Incident Time Zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Approximate start 10 miles southeast of Stehekin, WA |
| Incident Commander | Lonnie Click, ICCI James Osborne, ICCI(t) Noel Livingston, Deputy ICCI Randy Johnson, Deputy ICCI |
| Coordinates |
48° 10' 57'' Latitude
-120° 31' 51
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 401 |
|---|---|
| Size | 38,735 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 23% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 10/31/2024 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Grass and Understory) Short Grass (1 foot) Timber (Litter and Understory) Fuels in the area are highly modified by previous fire history. Abundant snags, heavy accumulations of downed woody material, grasses, young conifer growth and shrub patches occupy most the landscape. The area is a mosaic of fuel patches with rock scree and outcrops serving as partial barriers to fire spread.
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| Significant Events | Minimal, creeping, smoldering Observed fire behavior today was mostly smoldering in Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek drainages. Isolated and scattered heat remains in heavily sheltered timber and in previous burn scars within jackpots of dead and down fuels. Snags and heavy fuel accumulations are present due to fire history in and around the fire area. Lake Chelan's strong diurnal winds and steep topography are contributing to suppression challenges. |
| Planned Actions |
Branch I - Continue suppression repair activities. Due to significant rain, the fire will be monitored by UAS as landslides and falling debris are a safety concern. Patrol hand line along the Little Boulder Creek and Boulder Ridge with UAS and with crews where safe.
Continue to evaluate effects of recent precipitation over the fire area and support local initial attack as needed/requested. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
24 hours: A warming and drying trend returns to the area, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources. 48 hours: Warming and drying trend continues, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources. 72 hours: Warming and drying trend continues, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources. Anticipated after 72 hours: Fuel conditions will require an extended drying period before becoming readily available. |
| Remarks |
The team is also managing IA responsibilities within the delegated IA boundary, as well as managing Flat Creek, Rennie Creek, and McAlester Ridge Fires; while providing additional IA support to local agencies. |
| Weather Concerns | Tuesday, August 27: A dry cold front pushed through the area early this morning. While few light showers accompanied the front, most of the fire footprint remained dry. Gusty west-northwesterly winds pushed in behind the front along with cooler temperatures. Winds gusted 20 30mph along the lake and upwards of 35mph on exposed ridgelines. Daytime minimum relative humidity was around 25 to 30 percent due to the dry westerly flow, although sheltered locations were not as dry. Wednesday, August 28 through the weekend: A ridge of high pressure will slowly build over the Pacific NW with hotter and drier weather Wednesday through the week. After a few days of stronger winds, the high pressure will keep winds lighter and largely terrain-driven for the latter half of the week. Despite the lighter terrain-driven winds, elevated fire weather conditions will be in place as above normal temperatures and low relative humidity linger into the weekend. |
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